The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is under scrutiny after revelations that nearly half of its workforce comes from just two ethnic communities — Kikuyu and Kalenjin.
Senators have raised alarm over what they term a deeply skewed employment structure that undermines national cohesion and inclusivity.
Appearing before the Senate National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration Committee, CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge was put on the defensive by lawmakers led by committee chair Mohammed Chute (Marsabit), who questioned why the institution had failed to ensure ethnic balance in both employment and internships.
“From your presentation, the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities account for almost 50 per cent of CBK’s jobs. Even internship slots are being handed exclusively to one community. This is unacceptable,” Chute stated firmly.
According to CBK data, of the 1,311 employees, 325 are Kikuyu and 258 Kalenjin. Luo employees follow at 139, with other communities like Kamba (123), Luhya (113), and Kisii (90) trailing behind. Minority communities such as Borana, Ilchamus, Swahili, and Tharaka each have fewer than 10 employees, while Turkana, Mbeere, and Kuria have five each.
Acknowledging the imbalance, Governor Thugge said, “We recognise that two communities have taken more than half of the positions, but we intend to address this in future recruitments. With 455 employees aged between 51 and 60, upcoming retirements offer a chance to correct the skew.”
Thugge added that CBK currently employs staff from 31 ethnic groups, covering 67% of Kenya’s 46 communities. He assured the Senate that the bank would implement a mentorship and succession programme aimed at recruiting a younger and more diverse workforce in line with Article 232 of the Constitution.
Senators Okiya Omtatah (Busia) and Dan Maanzo (Makueni) demanded a full report on the ethnic composition of CBK’s seven branch managers, promotion criteria, and whether recruitment is done equitably.
Thugge committed to providing a comprehensive breakdown of all recent promotions and pledged transparency in future hiring, including collaboration with local authorities and the National Council for People Living with Disabilities (NCPWD).
The history of Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) governors shows a clear trend in ethnic representation, with a significant dominance by individuals from the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities. Here’s a brief breakdown by tenure and tribe:
1. Leon Baranski (1966–1967)
- Ethnicity: Polish (expatriate from IMF)
- Not Kenyan – served as the founding governor during CBK’s establishment.
2. Duncan Ndegwa (1967–1982)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- First Kenyan governor; oversaw foundational institutional reforms.
3. Philip Ndegwa (1982–1988)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- Continued economic liberalization efforts.
4. Eric Kotut (1988–1993)
- Ethnicity: Kalenjin
- Appointed during President Moi’s era.
5. Micah Cheserem (1993–2001)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- Known for restoring stability post the Goldenberg scandal.
6. Nahashon Nyagah (2001–2003)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- Short tenure focused on bond market reforms.
7. Andrew Mullei (2003–2007)
- Ethnicity: Kamba
- From the Eastern Kenya region; focused on modernization.
8. Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u (2007–2015)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- First economist to head CBK; known for digital finance growth.
9. Dr. Patrick Njoroge (2015–2023)
- Ethnicity: Kikuyu
- Known for bank reforms, changed Kenya’s bank notes, and for integrity in public finance.
10. Dr. Kamau Thugge (2023–Present)
Current governor under President William Ruto’s administration.
Ethnicity: Kikuyu
